DATE= 11/12/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-222570
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=STATE DEPT.
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS WELCOMED WHAT HE CALLED THE STRONG
U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION DEMANDING THAT IRAQ ALLOW U-N
WEAPONS INSPECTIONS TO PROCEED. IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE
PRESIDENT SAID THAT FOR IRAQ, THERE IS ONE SIMPLE WAY OUT OF THE
BOX SADDAM HUSSEIN HAS PUT IT IN -- COMPLY WITH THE WILL OF THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT RON
PEMSTEIN REPORTS.
TEXT: THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT HAS GONE THE EXTRA MILE TO USE
DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE ON IRAQ. THE TRAVEL BAN IMPOSED BY A
UNANIMOUS U-N SECURITY COUNCIL WAS APPROVED ONLY A FEW WEEKS
AFTER RUSSIA AND FRANCE HAD OPPOSED ANY SANCTION TO PUNISH IRAQI
DEFIANCE OF U-N INSPECTIONS.
STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS IF IRAQ CONTINUES TO
DEFY THE UNITED NATIONS, EVEN THOSE OPPOSED TO MILITARY ACTION
COULD CHANGE THEIR MINDS. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS TRYING TO
KEEP THE SECURITY COUNCIL UNITED.
///RUBIN ACT///
WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS TO KEEP AS MUCH UNANIMITY AS
POSSIBLE, IN ORDER TO KEEP AS MUCH PRESSURE AS POSSIBLE
ON THE IRAQI LEADERSHIP AND, AGAIN, IT IS OUR HOPE THERE
IS NO NEED TO TAKE FURTHER MEASURES, INCLUDING THE USE
OF FORCE THAT WE HAVE NOT RULED OUT. IF THE IRAQI
REGIME REVERSES COURSE, WE BELIEVE IT WILL BE MORE
LIKELY TO DO SO IF IT IS CONFRONTING A UNITED
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
///END ACT///
ALTHOUGH THE SECURITY COUNCIL DID NOT WARN IRAQ OF SERIOUS
CONSEQUENCES IF THERE IS CONTINUED RESISTANCE TO INSPECTIONS, THE
WHITE HOUSE SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON IS SATISFIED BY THE UNITED
RESPONSE OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS IRAQ'S LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN
IS MORE LIKELY TO COMPLY IF HIS FRIENDS IN THE UNITED NATIONS
DEMAND IT.
///RUBIN ACT///
WHEN HE THINKS THAT HE CAN PLAY ONE COUNTRY OFF AGAINST
ANOTHER, HE'S MORE LIKELY TO BE RECALCITRANT. BUT ONCE
HE'S CONCLUDED THAT THE WHOLE WORLD IS UNITED AGAINST
HIM, INCLUDING COUNTRIES THAT HAVE A REGULAR DIALOGUE
WITH HIM, THEN HE IS MOST LIKELY TO REVERSE COURSE. THAT
DOESN'T MEAN THAT HE WILL IN THIS CASE, BUT IT MEANS IT
IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE GONE THE EXTRA MILE TO TRY
TO TAKE ALL REASONABLE STEPS WE COULD TAKE BEFORE
CONSIDERING OTHER OPTIONS.
///END ACT///
IRAQ IS STILL THREATENING TO EXPEL THE AMERICAN MEMBERS OF THE
INSPECTION TEAM, BUT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO
INSIST THAT ANY FURTHER DELAY IN INSPECTIONS MEANS THAT IRAQ WILL
HAVE TO WAIT EVEN LONGER UNTIL U-N SANCTIONS AGAINST IT ARE
LIFTED. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/RRM
12-Nov-97 5:53 PM EST (2253 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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